Surangi, The Child Bride

Part 64

Surangi bathed hastily and tried to get dressed before Madhav woke up. Unknown to her Madhav had already ordered for some tea and toast before she emerged from the bathroom, trying to dab her hair dry.

"Do you think I am a shameless hussy?" 

"Why should I think of you thus?" Madhav was amused. His bride of nearly a decade was in doubt of her own modesty. 

"Because I got drunk and behaved, how to I put it-imprudently with you last night." She tried not to look at her husband directly.

"You were not imprudent and I had a rather jolly time! Would you care for some hot buttered toast with orange marmalade on it?" He beckoned her to sit across him at the tea table. 

"But you haven't brushed yet!" She gasped.

"Madame, your husband rose early, went for a run along the harbour and bathed before you decided to wake up!" He bit into a piece of toast.

"Oh dear, was I that drunk? Aho, did anything untoward happen?" She asked, not having discovered any telltale evidence on herself or on the sheets. Unfortunately she could not recall much of what happened after they kissed.

"Whatever happened, we still had our clothes  on in the end, so I would not worry too much! Have your breakfast!" Madhav smiled as he recalled her eagerness the previous night.

"You know, my classmates at college often mock me about our marriage. Why, you two practically grew up together, you must regard each other as siblings, no wonder you are unfamiliar with romance, they say!" Surangi was wise not to react to such jabs yet they rankled.

"They are right, but they don't realise how much growing up together cements the bond! When I came away to Bombay I really missed you and assumed you missed me as much! We were so used to being around each other!" He had never told her that before. 

"I missed your protective vibe most of all. Do you remember how you had taught that idiotic Balu a lesson when he would pester me? I thought you were a manifestation of Krishna with your own Sudarshan Chakra, sent to earth to protect me!" She laughed at her own naivety. 

"And I recall now how possessive I was, I hated that Balu for daring to harass you! Anyway, hope you are done eating, Dinkar should be here to give us a ride!" Soon they had settled their dues and had checked out of the hotel. 

Sure enough, Dinkar appeared in the lobby just as they finished up at the cashier's.

"Suprabhat, vahini! Hope you slept well!" Dinu grinned as he noticed the blush spreading over Surangi's face.

"Good morning, Bhaoji!" Surangi mumbled, pretending to admire the antiques on display in the hotel lobby.

"So Madhava, bet you had the time of your life last night!" Dinu winked.

"Shut up! Nothing happened, other than a few kisses!" Madhav growled, trying to stay out of Surangi's earshot.

"How disappointing! I thought you gave her an anatomy lesson!" Dinkar whispered, sliding behind the wheel of his car, and promptly changed his expression as well as the topic. 

"Vahini, this is the furniture market Madhav wants to take you around this evening. Your home is ready to furnish! Remember to drive a hard bargain!" Dinkar kept Surangi engaged in small talk until he had halted under Vidya's building.

"Are you not coming up?" She asked Dinkar, indirectly questioning Madhav.

"No, you go on, I have to drop Madhav back to the hospital." Dinkar replied.

"I shall be free by six in the evening. Meet me at the cafe near the furniture market by then!" Madhav bid her farewell and Dinu drove on.

"What an idiot! Who would waste such a golden chance! Have I taught you nothing?" Dinkar scolded Madhav.